The DSMDC is a group of Metal Detecting enthusiasts who meet monthly to share their treasure finds with fellow members and discuss some of their tips and tricks of the trade.
The meetings are held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Members and guests may arrive as early as 6:30 p.m. This will give everyone time to socialize, so we can start on time.
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Thursday, August 30, 2018

An amateur treasure hunter used a metal detector to unearth a 1,800-year-old gold Roman signet ring in Somerset UK

Pest control officer Jason Massey discovered the rare piece of jewelry, which features an engraving of the Roman goddess of Victory, in a field.

It is believed to have belonged to a 'high status' figure, potentially making it one of the most significant archaeological finds in Somerset's history.

The current value of the ancient piece of jewelry is still being determined.

The ring is now in the hands of experts at the British Museum in London.

It is believed to date from 200 to 300 AD.

Mr Massey, who served in the British armed forces from 1989 to 1992, made the find at a site believed to have once been a high-status Roman villa as part of a charitable dig with the 'Detecting for Veterans' group.

The Somerset Archaeological team think we have found a very high status villa complex, but more investigative work is needed,' he told MailOnline.

Mr Massey and the landowner will share 50 per cent of any profits made from the ring once British Museum researchers had determined its value.

'We have no idea how much [the ring] is worth – there is nothing like it in the UK,' he said.

Detecting for Veterans unearthed 60 other Roman coins on Sunday as part of ongoing excavations at the Crewkerne site, which is south west of Yeovil.

Bronze and silver coins are more common than their gold counterparts, which were typically owned by Romans of rich and powerful stature.

'Gold is ... an indication that the owner is fairly wealthy.'

The newly-discovered ring features an engraving of Victoria, the Roman god of Victory, riding a chariot pulled by two horses.

Victoria appears widely on Roman coins, jewelry, architecture, and other arts, and is often depicted with or in a chariot.

The ring is now in the hands of experts at the British Museum in London.

It is believed to date from 200 to 300 AD.

Mr Massey, who served in the British armed forces from 1989 to 1992, made the find at a site believed to have once been a high-status Roman villa as part of a charitable dig with the 'Detecting for Veterans' group.

Central Jersey Rare Coins

Fisher Research Labs

Garrett Metal Detectors

The Gold Digger Metal Detectors

Minelab Metal Detectors

https://www.minelab.com/metal-detectors

Teknetics Metal Detectors

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XP Metal Detectors America

http://www.xpmetaldetectorsamericas.com

ATTENTION

The Deep Search Metal Detecting Club is asking if any landowner / homeowner with property in the state of New Jersey, might be willing to allow our organization to conduct metal detecting on their land is asked to contact DSMDC President Donna Funk